Restoring a 150 year old table

sambofl · Post by **sambofl** » Tue Sep 18, 2007 8:37 pm

My wife recently asked me if I could restore her Great Grandmothers Dining Room Table. Of course me being me I said of course!! Well I started this weekend on it and got the table top completely stripped of the old stain. And its sanded and ready to go but the question I have the legs were hand lathed and I would hate to ruin the amazing work her great grandfather put into it. Is there something I can use on the legs so I would not have to sand as much to prep it for restaining. Info note the table is made of Rock Oak and stained with what appears to be Spice.

ryanbp01 · Post by **ryanbp01** » Thu Sep 20, 2007 12:24 pm

We of the woodworkers are proud of your courage in restoring this table and salute you in your endeavor! Actually, its nice to see someone else do something similar to what I'm sure we have all done at some point in our lives. Without taking a look at the table and assuming there is nothing wrong withthe leg, I would make sure you have whatever you used to take the stain off with removed. I don't know if you used a chemical stripper or not, bu if you did, make sure the leg is rinsed off. I use cool, clear, water. Then, with a fine grit sandapaper (220) sand down any raised grain. Follow up with a fine steel wool pad and then use a tack cloth to wipe off any residue.

What I have done when restoring a door that had some carving was not to be overly concerned with getting 100% of the stain out of all of the crevices. I guess its a matter of taste. At least with some of the detail, the older stain can help to bring out some of the details that you may wish to show. I would really like to see some pictures of the finished project. I'll bet it will look great!

Ed in Tampa · Post by **Ed in Tampa** » Thu Sep 20, 2007 2:37 pm

sambofl wrote:My wife recently asked me if I could restore her Great Grandmothers Dining Room Table. Of course me being me I said of course!! Well I started this weekend on it and got the table top completely stripped of the old stain. And its sanded and ready to go but the question I have the legs were hand lathed and I would hate to ruin the amazing work her great grandfather put into it. Is there something I can use on the legs so I would not have to sand as much to prep it for restaining. Info note the table is made of Rock Oak and stained with what appears to be Spice.

Sambo
Depending on the stain you may not be able to remove it short of removing the wood that carries the stain.

First do you really need to remove the stain or can you bleach it lighter or stain it darker to accomplish what you want to accomplish?

Second if you do need to remove the stain it might be worth your while to consult a local furniture restorer to see if they have any idea how to remove this particular stain.

Third I would try on some place not readily seen to see if you can lift the stain with either Alcohol, Napha, Lacquer Thinner, Acetone, MEK. Trying them in that order.

Fourth I would try again in a place not readily seen some clorine bleach, Muraric acid, lye and finally sand paper again in that order making sure you very careful with the bleach, acid and lye. (DO NOT LET ANY TWO OF THESE CHEMICALS COME INTO CONTACT WITH EACH OTHER)

Last I would tell the wife that the natuarl pantena of the spindle was far to special to be removed and you decided to keep it just as it was built.
Ed

sambofl · Post by **sambofl** » Thu Sep 20, 2007 7:45 pm

Thank you for the advice. I will give the MEK a shot since I have it in stock.

reible · Post by **reible** » Thu Sep 20, 2007 8:06 pm

Hi,

I guess I would think two or three times before I refinish an item especially after watching the PBS antiques road show where this $500 table could have been a $10,000 had it not been refinished.

Now that I have you thinking about that I recall some years ago the big rage was something called Formby's. I used it a couple of time and had what I think was exceptional results... and we had an old dresser done professionally and that is what they used.... we looked at several places to have it done and the other all wanted to dip it and start over... glad we when the way we did.

Ed

Ed in Tampa · Post by **Ed in Tampa** » Fri Sep 21, 2007 11:25 am

sambofl wrote:Thank you for the advice. I will give the MEK a shot since I have it in stock.

Sambofl

Jumped to the last on the list wow!!!!!

Be careful!!!
Well make sure you wear GOOD rubber gloves from what I hear MEK is one of them chemicals that is absorbed through the skin and once inside plays havoc with the liver.

You also should really consider the other Ed's advice and not mess with the stain, however if you already have done the table that is kind of a mote point.

Again be real careful have plenty of ventilation and give the chemicals time to work. Often I try something and due to a lack of patience I move on not realizing had I just given it a little time it would have worked.

Enjoy
Ed

ryanbp01 · Post by **ryanbp01** » Fri Sep 21, 2007 1:06 pm

You know, I never even gave the idea a thought about the value of the table reinfinished versus what the value of the table is with the original finish. I agree with Reible 100%! You should probably get the table appraised before beginning the project. You might save yourself a lot of work and plenty of money in the long term.

sambofl · Post by **sambofl** » Fri Sep 21, 2007 7:38 pm

I would but the table will never be sold for any reason regardless of value. 2. I have already stripped the top of the table.

I've worked with MEK for years now and I have seen first hand what its capable of. So I will use proper protection. Thank you all for your advice I will start the work on the legs this weekend and post pictures of the progress

sambofl · Post by **sambofl** » Mon Nov 05, 2007 2:16 pm

Well I finally finished restoring my wifes table after much delay and procrastination. Here is a pic of the finished project

Ed in Tampa · Post by **Ed in Tampa** » Mon Nov 05, 2007 4:27 pm

sambofl wrote:Well I finally finished restoring my wifes table after much delay and procrastination. Here is a pic of the finished project

Looks fantastic how did you stripe off the old finish and what did you use on the new. Give us the details.

Ed